Richard Money hailed his Cambridge United players’ bravery after they held Skrill Premier leaders Luton Town to a 1-1 draw last night.

Tom Elliott deservedly headed the U’s in front in the 62nd minute, but the Hatters levelled it up in the 90th minute through substitute Mark Cullen.

“I think the most important thing for us was to show some progress,” said United head coach Money. “We have to get back to where we were before Christmas.

“We know we’ve been very inconsistent, especially in the league, and we need to finish the season strongly so we can hopefully get ourselves into the play-offs, but go into the play-offs, hopefully, with some momentum and form.

“I think that was a big step in the right direction and I thought the players were terrific.

“We were brave, both with and without the ball. The pitch helps us and the groundsman’s kept it in really good condition, so we were able to move it and I thought we did that with good effect.

“We’ve more than matched the team that are going to win the league. They know they’ve got out of jail and you could see that by the reaction when they scored.

“But fair play to them - they keep going, they’ve got good options on the bench, they’re able to chase it and, probably for the last five minutes, we were put under pressure and pressure we didn’t really want.”

Tom Bonner came into the back four, replacing captain Ian Miller, and Money said the defender deserved his opportunity.

“I think (Luton’s goal) was the only shot on target they’ve had, so I think that shows how good our organisation and defensive work was,” said Money.

“I just thought it was time to bring Bonner into the team. He’s waited patiently, and we haven’t been as tight as we’d like to be, certainly in the league, since Christmas.